(James 1:19-20)
The church is no different than any family. Sooner or later there will be issues that need to be confronted. The problem often comes not in confronting the issues, but how we confront the issues.
In working on solutions, instead of attacking the problems, we attack each other. We begin the blame game, or we demand that things go our way, or we are walking out the door, never to return.
In our text, James tells us that we need to be "swift to hear." Let's make sure we understand what is being said. There are those times when we are talking so much, we are not listening to what is being said, that could be helpful and productive.
We need to be "slow to speak." No one should dominate the discussion. We need to be patient, and involve other ideas, and opinions, even if we don't agree with them.
And finally we must be "slow to wrath." Why does it have to be a conflict, where tempers flair, and get heated seven times hotter than they should? James is right, anger does not produce the righteousness of God. It leads to saying things that are hurtful, destructive, and a hindrance to the will of God.
All in all, lets attack the problems together with love and positive attitudes. God will truly bless us when we approach the challenges, in this way. GP
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